SHOWTIME Sports® Super Six World Boxing Classic, the groundbreaking six-man super middleweight tournament announced last week, will debut with two Group Stage 1 matchups on Saturday, Oct. 17, with the third Group Stage 1 bout taking place on Saturday, Nov. 21. All three world-class matches will air on SHOWTIME®.

The initial dates in the unprecedented, celebrated tournament were formally announced Tuesday by Ken Hershman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. Venues will be announced soon. The Super Six World Boxing Classic will be contested on both American and European continents.

In a battle of unbeatens on Oct. 17, Carl “The Cobra” Froch (25-0, 20 KOs) of Nottingham, England, will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) title against 2004 Olympic Games medalist Andre “The Matrix’’ Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs) of Flint, Mich.

No odds yet on Kessler/Ward as, per the Fight Fans, both appear set to have tune up fights in early Sept ... just two months before their Nov fight. My guess is Kessler will be a slight favorite ... maybe -150/-175?

"It's like dating a woman who hates you so much she will never break up with you, even if you burn down the house every single autumn." ~ Chuck Klosterman on Browns fans relationship with the Browns

SHOWTIME Sports, in conjunction with NFL Films, is producing a new reality series that will give fight fans unprecedented access into the lives of the participants in the Super Six World Boxing Classic. Dubbed FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic, the series will focus a powerful spotlight on the groundbreaking tournament from the kickoff press conference in July 2009 through the Final tournament bout slated for 2011.

The series premieres on Saturday, Oct. 10 on SHOWTIME® (10:30 p.m. ET/PT).

The tournament format, created by SHOWTIME Sports in association with five world-class boxing promoters, is a unique concept to boxing and one that has been lauded by industry experts and the sports media since its announcement. Likewise, FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic is unlike any other reality program in boxing.

There will be six episodes following the fighters not just in training camp, but during the intense moments leading up to their respective fights, in their corners during each bout and in the aftermath of every win, loss, or draw as the fighters recede from the limelight and begin to prepare for their next bout.

“The round-robin nature of this tournament lends itself to a story arc and fight progression that has never before been seen in boxing,” said SHOWTIME Sports General Manager Ken Hershman. “This series will set itself apart by chronicling each man through that progression. No one knows where each story will lead, but our cameras will be there every step of the way.”

“Add in NFL Films breadth of experience and its trademark storytelling ability, and this series becomes exponentially more unique and compelling,” said Hershman.

The debut episode of FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic will also take viewers behind the intrigue and the politics to reveal how the unprecedented boxing tournament came together.

The series is voiced by Bill St. James with music by NFL Films award-winning composer David Robidoux.

For more information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic including exclusive videos, photography, expert analysis from Al Bernstein and Steve Farhood, and much more please visit www.WorldBoxingClassic.com.

Horse shit decision. Dirrell fought a great fight. Great defensive fight, was active, landed the harder punches, and was hit less. Dirrell should have not been penalized a point, Froch should have been for repeated hitting behind the head. At least the point deduction didn't cost Dirrell.

Earned a lot of respect for Dirrell tonight. He got jobbed. Close fight, but he won it. 7 rounds to 5 on my card. Even with the bull shit point deduction, he shoulda won.

"It's like dating a woman who hates you so much she will never break up with you, even if you burn down the house every single autumn." ~ Chuck Klosterman on Browns fans relationship with the Browns

Great stuff so far from Andre. Looks strong, focused, in great shape, punching harder than I've ever seen him punch. Winning this fight handily through 6. Abraham needs a near sweep of the last 6 rounds. Got it 59-54 Andre thus far.

"It's like dating a woman who hates you so much she will never break up with you, even if you burn down the house every single autumn." ~ Chuck Klosterman on Browns fans relationship with the Browns

Only in boxing, and yet I come back week after week for this...nonsense. This really had the feel of a WWE event,expecially Abraham's interview with Jim Gray...so basically what he is saying is that in the split second after he gets drilled but before the referee has stepped in and ruled anything, let alone a DQ, Dirrel decides to fake it hoping to get a DQ out of a fight he is easily winning...nice try Arthur but who is really acting here!

bustedknuckles wrote:Only in boxing, and yet I come back week after week for this...nonsense. This really had the feel of a WWE event,expecially Abraham's interview with Jim Gray...so basically what he is saying is that in the split second after he gets drilled but before the referee has stepped in and ruled anything, let alone a DQ, Dirrel decides to fake it hoping to get a DQ out of a fight he is easily winning...nice try Arthur but who is really acting here!

I thought all hell was going to break loose. All the components for a riot were there. And yes, Abraham's comments after the fight were bush league. Not going to help King Arthur desire to become a big American star.

Abraham just seemed to be in shock all night. Unable to process the fact he was losing. Dude seems real full of himself. Beautiful thing to see that goose egg go away in the loss column for him.

"It's like dating a woman who hates you so much she will never break up with you, even if you burn down the house every single autumn." ~ Chuck Klosterman on Browns fans relationship with the Browns